You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. Galatians 5:7'8 WEB

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, who had turned away from following Jesus, and back to keeping the law. He asked them who had cut in on them to keep them from obeying the truth. The term 'cut in' means 'to hinder, interrupt, to get in the way.' Anyone that has been cut off in traffic has experienced this. The Galatians had been pushed away from the truth.

Legalism has always been a hindrance to a move of God. I find that when my fire starts to weaken, that I slowly gravitate towards a set of rules and soon I become close-minded. Where there is legalism, the personal relationship is pretty much dead and a timely word from God (Rhema) is necessary to bring back the heat.

When you connect with the heart of God, you will find that it is not about keeping rules. They are for our protection and a guide to a happy life. 'Go into your neighbors wife, and he may kill you, so don't.' 'Turn the other cheek, lest you be stabbed. It takes two to fight.'

Jesus faced legalism while He lived down here and the Pharisees wanted to 'correct' Him:

'The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, 'Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?' He answered them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' '

For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men'the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.' He said to them, 'Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition' (Mark 7:5'9).

Jesus said that the Pharisees 'set aside' the commandments of God and held tightly to their traditions. They had added an 'oral torah' alongside God's law that was passed down through the generations and contained things like washing the arms up to the elbow seven times before eating. 'For you devour widows' houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers' (Matthew 23:13).

The same tendency lives with us today. The only way to stay balanced is to stay close to God and be led by the Holy Spirit. 'But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law' (Galatians 5:18). It is something that we must do daily.

Stay teachable, stay humble. When you feel like you have arrived, that is a sure sign that you have not. 'Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn't yet know as he ought to know' (1 Corinthians 8:1'2).

Prayer: Father draw my heart to You and light a fire within me. Let me be known as Your disciple because of my love for others. Share Your heart with me and teach me to hear Your voice clearly, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: Good morning! Just wanted to thank you all for being part of Refreshing Hope Ministries. You all are such a blessing to us and we pray you are all having a blessed and joyful Christmas season! We know that for many, this may be a time of stress and loneliness, so especially for you, we invite you to connect with our online community at RHM and to send in your prayer requests. We love you and are here for you! ~ Dion & Sylvia